quick post: the best rumor around!

Yes, it is going around...Alexander McQueen for Target??? Oh my lord, I hope so!!! Feel free to post any updates.. I'll be the lookout.

New Gem

As a girl inspired by the lovely Kate Bosworth, I was not hesitant to check out her new jewelry line with stylist and best friend, Cher Coulter! Jewel Mint is a "one-of-a-kind" jewelry brand that specializes in unique designs specifically for your style.

The website is a really fun experience and the jewelry is 70% plus free shipping for members! All you need to do is create a style profile... Simple, fun, and free! The style profile quiz is fun and was right on! 

Each month you receive any piece for only $29.99! I could not believe this, but I have already ordered my Cosmopolitan Drop earrings! I think I will be ordering the In the Rough ring next!

Space 519

When shopping in all the craziness that continues in the days following black friday, one of my favorite stores in Chicago became a breathe of fresh air, free from crowds and full of friendly faces. Space 519, located on the fifth floor in the 900 Shops on Michigan Ave, is a modern general store that became a favorite the first time I stepped inside. It offers a small, but carefully chosen collection of men's and women's clothing, one-of-a-kind jewelry from a variety of artists, accessories, unique home decor, apothecary products, books, music, and magazines.

Store owners Lance Lawson and Jim Wetzel (previous owners of Jake on Rush St.) have taken "general store" to an entirely new level. Space 519 rotates collections of must-haves and unique pieces that are difficult to find anywhere else. Their large selection of j park clothing is one of my favorites to shop each time I visit. The brand consists of very simple styles, but always has essential, extremely versatile pieces. Space 519 has helped to put this brand on the map.

Currently the store is featuring a collection of unique vintage jewelry pieces. The artist's pieces are a favorite of America Ferrera and have been seen on her at the Emmys. My favorite is a statement necklace with gorgeous peacock feathers (I cannot get enough feathers). The "wish bracelets" are an excellent gift idea, as well.

I also picked up some travel books for my trip to London next year. They have an excellent selection that always has the best in shopping, eating, and sleeping. I chose the StyleCity guides for Europe, London, and Paris. I think I may go back for the Paris Vintage Couture shopping guide, one I would follow page by page. As always, they have a good selection of international fashion mags, too.

Space 519 is a guaranteed unique experience and a great place to pick up perfect gifts for the holiday season! (They also wrap them for you!)

The New Creative Establishment

Today the Business of Fashion released their list of the top 50 most creative forces in the fashion world. The New Creative Establishment was topped with photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot. Having shot gorgeous editorials for Vogue, W, and Interview magazine and top designer campaigns including Givenchy, Chanel, Stella McCartney, and Gucci, they have become the magic touch for those who have worked with them.
Second on the list was none other than my favorite designer Pheobe Philo, creative director at Celine. She is credited with giving Celine the biggest boost since Tom Ford's innovative take to Gucci.
Nicolas Ghesqiere took the third spot as creative director at Balenciaga. Season after season he continues to set the bar for unexpected innovation that smoothly translates into every-day wear. It is unbelievable how he continues to conquer at another level. I feel like each season he makes a mark that reminds me of everything else that comes out.

For the rest of the list visit Businessoffashion.com. This will also be featured in the second issue of INDUSTRIE magazine out later this month.

Jeffrey Campbell

At a recent visit to Lori's Shoes on Armitage, I noticed the variety of Jeffrey Campbell shoes available. I could not decide which ones were my favorite, his shoes are AMAZING! His clunky, chunky wooden platforms are a short girls dream. His rustic boots are also very cool.

Loriesshoes.com had an even larger selection, and more clunky, chunky soles!! Here are a few of my favorites:

1. McClaren $120--my favorite!(reminds me of the Chloe oxfords from 2004)

2. Ninetynine $106

3. Phone $140 (so cool)

4. Mary Roks $120

5. Front $112

6. All Ruffle $216

7. Foxy Wood $116

8. Swansong $79 (on sale!)

9. Broom ST $130

10. Zipped $286

Valentino for Gap!!!

With Gap's move into Italy, Valentino has decided to collaborate on a special collection for the store's opening on November 26 (this Friday)! For those lucky ones in Europe the collection is one of luxury looks mixed with casual textiles, the perfect balance! Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paola Piccioli, Valentino's creative directors, designed the line for the celebration. So jealous that I won't be there to witness it! The line is available a Gap stores in Europe. Feel free to post pictures of the collection and pieces you love!

Here are the campaign photos:

Love those ruffles!

Thank you Telegraph.co.uk!

Cuddly for a Cause!

Thanks to Anthropologie, a perfect holiday gift has arrived! These cute little critters are a wonderful expression of love and care:

"Stuffed with love and stitched with care, these cozy critters are the handiwork of Kenana Knitters, a knitting cooperative dedicated to improving the lives of women in rural Kenya. Each animal, handknit from locally grown wool spun on old bicycle wheels, comes with a card signed by the woman who made it, making these little guys heartwarming in more ways than one!" -Anthro

Available at anthropologie.com and amazon.com! (I believed that they are less expensive on Amazon)

Emma Watson Follow Up

It is has been said that Emma Watson will expand her design experience by collaborating with Alberta Ferretti on an organic line. The line will be take inspiration from Jane Birkin and continue Emma's to promote fair trade and organic clothing, as she has done for People Tree. She was approached by Alberta Ferretti after her line for People Tree debuted. Alberta Ferretti's design elegance mixed with Watson's edgy youthfulness will likely produce a wonderful line, both fair trade and organic. Nothing better than fashion and making the world a better place because of it!

Zoebot's

I know that many are on the edge concerning stylist Rachel Zoe. Personally, I am a big fan of her work and her style. She is an inspiration to my personal style (probably because of our shared obsession with black). Speaking of black, it is my go to color. It is simple, but can be extremely dramatic as well. No color will ever be as classic. Zoe attended the MOCA Annual Gala wearing a stunning black, one shoulder, gown (shocker). The gown (I believe the same as her in her ads for The Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo) is one of my favorites! It is subtly sexy with an exposed shoulder and elegant long length. Her large statement earrings were perfect, not taking focus off the dress or the fact that her hair is actually pulled back!!! The balance is perfect, even exceeding what we would expect from her. Well done!

One of My Favorites

Over the years of reading Vogue, Elle, Harper's, etc... I have often come across a simply beautiful lady with elegant features, long blonde hair and long limbs to match. She is usually pictured attending fashion events and parties around the globe, dressed fantastically of course. She is the lovely Dree Hemingway, the great-grand daughter of Ernest Hemingway (author of one of my favorite books The Sun Also Rises). She currently works as a model often in editorial, but I have always taken more notice to her and her style when she is herself, not styled for a photo shoot. She has been one of my personal fashion icons since I first saw her in pictures.

Next month she will be featured in Vogue Italia, shot by Richard Burbridge. Although I cannot read or speak Italian, I am very tempted to hunt it down. This picture of her is a wonderful peek of what's to come.

The winning caption is: "It's nearly impossible to be a wallflower whilst wearing a silver lobster on one's forehead, but that certainly didn't stop Dree from trying." —Sasha Stumacher Kellner 

Emma Watson: December Girl

Next month, one of my favorite style girls will grace the covers of Vogue UK and Marie Claire. As her Harry Potter co-star, Daniel Radcliffe, played a "December Boy," it seems that she is now the December Girl. Emma Watson, sporting the looks of a modern-day Mia Farrow, seems to have taken the fashion world by storm. With amazing designers at her side, including Karl Lagerfeld and Christopher Bailey, she has become the muse of many.

Both covers show off her beauty, which is further enhanced by her new pixie look. Her beauty is stoic in an aristocratic way that is quite refreshing. Emma's Vogue UK cover and spread, shot by the wonderful Mario Testino, crosses her high energy and charm with the poise of an old film star. The photos give off an energy and image that can be played like a role of film. I cannot wait to have both copies in my hands...I'm sure a few of her photos will be added to my inspiration board.

Vogue UK December 2010

So Mia Farrow-esque!

Marie Claire December 2010

*these Helmut Lang panties are so beautiful, I wish they came as shorts!

*love these bloomer shorts and military jacket (both Burberry Prorsum)

Miss Watson has continued her work with the fair trade brand People Tree, by designing for a second season this winter. Her collection is a variety of handwoven dresses, tee-shirts, sweatshirts, and skirts. In her recent trip to Bangladesh, she saw first-hand how her designs were being created and helping a small village through the business of fair trade (the wage for laborers is equal to the wage in the country it is being sold, so it does not take advantage of low laborer costs). All clothes by People Tree are made from organic fabrics and textiles. Many of her designs can be found on ASOS.

People Tree Fall/Winter 2010 at ASOS.com

J.Crew Spring 2011 Collection Released!!!

J.Crew's spring 2011 collection was been released by Fashionista.com, and once again it has surpassed expectations. It is very relaxed, tomboy-cool, with a hint of girlie glamour. The long skirts and short suits are brilliantly constructed and the pop of colors is refreshing.

I feel like J.Crew has been slowly but surely climbing the ladder from a classic store to a contemporary brand. With the release of J.Crew Collection pieces not too long ago, to more emphasis on specific pieces, it seems that the luxury level is growing quickly. Thank you to Jenna Lyons and Marissa Webb for staying true to the J.Crew classic look and adding wonderful allure!

Here are some of my favorite spring looks, the whole collection can be found at Fashionista.com.

COS

COS has been declared the world's second best store by Fashionista.com. After searching their website extensively (I couldn't resist), I knew why. The pieces are very minimalist chic, with a wonderful variety of texture. With simple, key silhouettes, their clothing appeals to many different shapes and sizes. These pieces that look incredible will not put as big of a dent in your wallet as you may think. The prices are reasonable!

Although I have never encountered a COS piece or visited one of their stores (they are not located in the US), the quality and sophistication comes across in their adds and looks on their website. I cannot wait for my first shopping experience at COS in London this coming January!

*the hoods are genius

See more at COSStores.com!